NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: Proud Eynesbury Rovers record ended by the opposition goalkeeper

Eynesbury saw their 100 per cent away record in the United Counties League Premier Division come to an end last Saturday . . . when beaten by a freak goal scored by the opposition keeper! Rovers went down to a 3-2 defeat in dreadful conditions at Sleaford Town. It was a contest settled by a winner by the Lincolnshire side’s number one Chris Adams with five minutes to go. Adams saved a shot from Eynesbury man Luke Smith before launching a huge clearance which bounced over bewildered Rovers keeper Aaron Butcher and landed in the net. It was a bizarre way to settle a game which had plenty of talking points, not least of all a controversially awarded equaliser for Sleaford earlier in the second half. Rovers, whose line-up included Curtis Hartley following his return for a second spell with the club, hit the front through Callum Milne’s close-range header after just six minutes. James Ducket was millimetres away from doubling the advantage as his header bounced back off the inside of a post and Eynesbury were pegged back by a Scott Coupland penalty – conceding by Jack Uttridge - midway through the opening half. They regained the lead just after the half-hour as Sleaford man Harry Millard headed into his own net, but it proved to be a short-lived cushion as the hosts quickly responded. Brad Hockin’s strike from long range was initially disallowed after the assistant referee raised his flag but, following a discussion between the officials, was then allowed to stand. Chances were at a premium in a wind-ravaged, rain-lashed second half until Rovers, who had won their four previous league games on the road, were undone by Adams’ almighty effort. Eynesbury triumphed 2-1 at Peterborough Northern Star last Tuesday when Milne was again on the scoresheet. He struck moments after Jemale McKenzie gave Rovers the lead on the half-hour and then held on for victory despite seeing their advantage halved early in the second half. Eynesbury were due to host Boston Town in the second round of the KO Cup last night (Tuesday) before facing another league trip to Lincolnshire this Saturday to take on a Pinchbeck side who are enjoying a fine debut season in Step 5 football.

Rovers went down to a 3-2 defeat in dreadful conditions at Sleaford Town. It was a contest settled by a winner by the Lincolnshire side’s number one Chris Adams with five minutes to go.

Adams saved a shot from Eynesbury man Luke Smith before launching a huge clearance which bounced over bewildered Rovers keeper Aaron Butcher and landed in the net.

It was a bizarre way to settle a game which had plenty of talking points, not least of all a controversially awarded equaliser for Sleaford earlier in the second half.

Rovers, whose line-up included Curtis Hartley following his return for a second spell with the club, hit the front through Callum Milne’s close-range header after just six minutes.

James Ducket was millimetres away from doubling the advantage as his header bounced back off the inside of a post but Eynesbury were pegged back by a Scott Coupland penalty – conceded by Jack Uttridge - midway through the opening half.

They regained the lead just after the half-hour as Sleaford man Harry Millard headed into his own net, but it proved to be a short-lived cushion as the hosts quickly responded.

Brad Hockin’s strike from long range was initially disallowed after the assistant referee raised his flag but, following a discussion between the officials, was then allowed to stand.

Chances were at a premium in a wind-ravaged, rain-lashed second half until Rovers, who had won their four previous league games on the road, were undone by Adams’ almighty effort.

Eynesbury triumphed 2-1 at Peterborough Northern Star last Tuesday when Milne was again on the scoresheet.

He struck moments after Jemale McKenzie gave Rovers the lead on the half-hour and then held on for victory despite seeing their advantage cut early in the second half.

Eynesbury now host Boston Town in the second round of the KO Cup tomorrow night (Tuesday) before facing another league trip to Lincolnshire this Saturday to take on a Pinchbeck side who are enjoying a fine debut season in Step 5 football.